enlargement

noun

en·​large·​ment in-ˈlärj-mənt 

en-

1

: an act or instance of enlarging : the state of being enlarged

2

: a photographic print larger than the negative that is made by projecting the negative image through a lens onto a photographic printing surface

Examples of enlargement in a Sentence

Symptoms include enlargement of the lymph nodes.

The plans call for an enlargement of the company's offices.

Recent Examples on the Web

Breast enlargement is seen and may or may not include the production of milk. —Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026

City Hall has filed an appeal against a court ruling in favor of the Council’s expansion of CityFHEPS last year, U-turning a campaign pledge to drop the lawsuit and move forward with the costly enlargement to the municipal housing voucher program. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026

This enlargement of the larynx lengthens and thickens the vocal cords, which lowers vocal pitch. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Mar. 2026

When Angelica decides to get a breast enlargement, Jason sounds a warning. —Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

enlargement

noun

en·​large·​ment in-ˈlärj-mənt 

1

: an act or instance of enlarging : the state of being enlarged

2

: a photographic print made larger than the negative

Medical Definition

enlargement

noun

en·​large·​ment in-ˈlärj-mənt 

: an act or instance of enlarging : the state of being enlarged

enlargement of the heart